TH42 State-of-the-Art Reactor Consequence Analyses

The NRC’s State-of-the-Art Reactor Consequence Analyses (SOARCA) research project is designed to estimate the realistic outcomes of severe accident scenarios at nuclear power plants. The project also studied and improved methods and models for realistically evaluating plant responses during severe accidents, including protective actions for the public (such as evacuation and sheltering), and the potential public health risk. The NRC performed this study, in part, to develop information about the effectiveness of methods for mitigating severe accidents at nuclear power plants to prevent or minimize harm to the public. The SOARCA study seeks to produce more realistic estimates of plant behavior during severe accidents, thereby improving understanding of the consequences of a potential accident. The NRC staff has completed its initial analyses and is addressing issues identified by the SOARCA External Peer Review Committee, as well as feedback from a fact check with the power plants included in the study. Part of this session will include a perspective of the SOARCA peer review. Finally, the NRC will discuss the uncertainty study for SOARCA that it began within the past year.